System and method for cooling components of a surgical navigation system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a surgical navigation system is provided with a transmitter assembly that includes at least one coil for creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of a surgical operation. The surgical navigation system also includes a cooling unit thermally coupled to the transmitter assembly for dissipating heat generated by the transmitter assembly and a receiver assembly that includes at least one coil configured to generate signals induced by the field. The surgical navigation system further includes electronic circuitry coupled to and communicating with the transmitter assembly and the receiver assembly for calculating at least a position of the receiver coil.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a surgical navigation system that uses electromagnetic fields to determine the position of an object, and more particularly to a system and method for cooling components of the surgical navigation system.[0002]In medical applications, surgical navigation systems have been used to provide an operator (e.g. a physician, surgeon, or other medical practitioner) with information to assist in the precise and rapid positioning of a medical device or instrument located in or near a patient's body during image-guided surgery. An electromagnetic tracking system provides positioning and orientation information for a medical device or instrument with respect to the patient or a reference coordinate system. When integrated or coordinated with an imaging system, such electromagnetic tracking systems may provide intraoperative tracking of the precise location of a medical device or instrument in relation to m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In accordance with a further embodiment, a method of cooling a transmitter assembly of a surgical navigation system is provided. The method provides for measuring a temperature of a transmitter assembly, communicating the temperature of the transmitter assembly to a controller, and activating a cooling system to dissipate heat generated by the transmitter assembly and to reduce the temperature of the transmitter assembly.

Problems solved by technology

However, electromagnetic tracking systems are known to suffer from accuracy degradation due to such factors as electromagnetic field distortion, such as may be caused by the presence of an uncharacterized metal distorter within the tracking volume or electromagnetic fields of the electromagnetic tracking system.

However, low frequency tracking may result in a reduced tracking volume.

Unfortunately, increasing the power may result in increased heating of the electromagnetic transmitter which may produce tracking inaccuracies and adversely affect other system components.

This also represents a source of heat in what is generally an otherwise temperature controlled environment, possibly leading to discomfort for the patient and attending physicians and technicians.

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